Cannabis plant named ‘BIHEMP 050924’

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a new and distinct  cannabis  cultivar designated as ‘BIHEMP  050924 .’ Disclosed herein are main terpenes of ‘BIHEMP  050924 ,’ which are beta-caryophyllene, limonene, alpha-humulene, linalool, myrcene, trans-ocimene, beta-pinene, fenchol, and alpha-terpineol. Also, the present invention provides the estimated concentration of the THC max , CBD max , and CBG max , about 0.21-0.43%, about 5.02-10.86%, and about 0.10-0.72%, respectively, at the time of assaying metabolites from flower samples of ‘BIHEMP  050924 .’

Latin name of genus and species: Cannabis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘BIHEMP 050924’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cannabis cultivardesignated as ‘BIHEMP 050924’.

This new cultivar is the result of controlled-crosses betweenproprietary cultivars made by the inventors. The new cultivar of ‘BIHEMP050924’ was asexually reproduced via a stem ‘cutting’ and ‘cloning’method by the inventors at Salinas, Calif. Asexual clones from theoriginal source have been tested in greenhouses, nurseries, and/orfields. The properties of each cultivar were found to be transmissibleby such asexual reproduction. The cultivar is stable and reproduces trueto type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

TAXONOMY AND NOMENCLATURE

Cannabis, more commonly known as marijuana, is a genus of floweringplants that includes at least three species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabisindica, and Cannabis ruderalis as determined by plant phenotypes andsecondary metabolite profiles. In practice however, cannabisnomenclature is often used incorrectly or interchangeably. Cannabisliterature can be found referring to all cannabis varieties as “sativas”or all cannabinoid producing plants as “indicas”. Indeed the promiscuouscrosses of indoor cannabis breeding programs have made it difficult todistinguish varieties, with most cannabis being sold in the UnitedStates having features of both sativa and indica species.

Human cultivation history of Cannabis dates back 8000 years (Schultes, RE., 1970, Random thoughts and queries on the botany of Cannabis. Pages11-38 in: CRB Joyce, and S H Curry eds., THE BOTANY AND CHEMISTRY OFCANNABIS. J. & A. Churchill. London, England). Hemp cloth recovered inEurope dates back 6000 years (Small, E, Beckstead, H D, and Chan, A,1975, The evolution of cannabinoid phenotypes in Cannabis, ECONOMICBOTANY 29(3):219-232). The written record of the pharmacologicproperties of Cannabis goes back more than 4000 years (Ti, H. 2737 BC.NEI JING SU WEN HUANG TI, Yellow Emperor's Classic on Internal Medicine;referred to without citation in Small et al. 1975 Supra).

The taxonomy and nomenclature of the highly variable genus Cannabis(Emboden, W A, 1974, ECONOMIC BOTANY 28(3):304-310; Small, E andCronquist, A, 1976, TAXON 25(4):405-435; Small E and Cronquist, A, 1977,TAXON 26(1):110; Hillig, K W and Mahlberg, P G, 2004, American Journalof Botany 91(6):966-975), remains in question. This is in spite of thefact that its formal scientific name, ‘Cannabis sativa L.’, assigned byCarolus Linneaus (Linnaeus, C, 1753, SPECIES PLANTARUM, 2:1027, Salvius,Stockholm, Facsimile edition, 1957-1959, Ray Society, London, U.K.), isone of the oldest established names in botanical history and is stillaccepted to this day. Another species in the genus, ‘Cannabis indicaLam.’ was formally named somewhat later (de Lamarck, J B, 1785,ENCYCLOPEDIE METHODIQUE DE BOTANIQUE, 1(2):694-695), but is still veryold in botanical history. In 1785, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck published adescription of a second species of Cannabis, which he named Cannabisindica. Lamarck based his description of the newly named species onplant specimens collected in India. C. indica was described asrelatively short, conical, and densely branched, whereas C. sativa wasdescribed as tall and laxly branched (Schultes R. E. et al, 1974,Harvard University Botanical Museum Leaflets, 23:337-367). C. indicaplants were also described as having short, broad leaflets whereas thoseof C. sativa were characterized as relatively long and narrow (AndersonL. C., 1980, Harvard University Botanical Museum Leaflets, 28:61-69). C.indica plants conforming to Schultes' and Anderson's descriptions mayhave originated from the Hindu Kush mountain range. Because of the oftenharsh and variable (extremely cold winters, and warm summers) climate ofthose parts, C. indica is well-suited for cultivation in temperateclimates.

Three other species names were proposed in the 1800s to distinguishplants with presumably different characteristics (C. macrosperma Stokes,C. chinensis Delile, C. gigantean Vilmorin), none of which are acceptedtoday, although the epithet “indica” lives on as a subspecies of C.sativa (‘C. sativa ssp. indica Lam.’, Small and Cronquist 1976 Supra).

In the 20th century, two new names were added to the liturgy of proposed‘Cannabis species: C. ruderalis’ Janischevsky and a hybrid, x ‘C.intersita’ Sojak. (Small, E, Jui, P Y, and Lefkovitch, L P, 1976,SYSTEMATIC BOTANY 1(1):67-84; Small and Cronquist 1976 Supra). Further,numerous names have been proposed for horticultural variants of‘Cannabis’ but as of 1976, “very few of these have been validlypublished as formal taxa under the International Code of BotanicalNomenclature” (Small and Cronquist 1976 Supra). Moreover, other recentwork continues to focus on higher-order evolutionary relationships ofthe genus. Cannabis has been variously ascribed as belonging to mulberryfamily (Moraceae) (Engler, H G A, Ulmaceae, Moraceae and Urticaceae,pages 59-118 in: A. Engler and K. Prantl eds., 1889, DIE NATURLICHENPFLANZENFAMILIEN 3(1). W. Engelmann, Leipzig, Germany; Judd, W S,Sanders, R W, and Donoghue, M J, 1994, HARVARD PAPERS IN BOTANY 5:1-51;Humphries, C J and Blackmore, S, A review of the classification of theMoraceae, pages 267-277 In: Crane and Blackmore 1989 id.); nettle family(Urticaceae) (Berg, C C, Systematics and phylogeny of the Urticales,pages 193-220, in: P. R. Crane and S. Blackmore eds., 1989, EVOLUTION,SYSTEMATIC, AND FOSSIL HISTORY OF THE HAMAMELIDAE, VOL. 2, HIGHERHAMAMELIDAE, Clarendon Press, Oxford, U.K.); and most recently in itsown family with hops (Humulus), Cannabaceae, or hemp family (Sytsma, KJ, et al, 2002, AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 89(9):1531-1546). While thework of Small and Cronquist 1976 Supra, seemed to effectively confinethe genus to a single species with 2 subspecies (C. sativa s., C. s.indica), each with two varieties (C. s. s. var. sativa, C. s. s. var.spontanea; C. s. i. var. indica, C. s. i. var. Kafiristanica) largely onthe basis of chemotaxonomy and interfertility of all forms, more recentwork (Sytsma et al. 2002 Supra), proposes a two-species concept,resurrecting the binomial C. indica Lam. Since Sytsma et al. (2002)provides no key for discriminating between the species, the dichotomouskey of Small and Cronquist (1976), which accounts for all forms innature, whether wild or domesticated, is preferred to classify thecharacteristics of the plants.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive cannabis cultivardesignated as ‘BIHEMP 050924’.

The objective of the breeding program which produced novel plantsdisclosed herein was primarily to develop a cannabis cultivar with itsunique blend of various cannabinoids and/or terpenes for (a) medicinaleffects such as improving appetite and reducing nausea, vomiting and/orchronic pain, as well as neurological and cardiovascular effects, (b)psychoactive effects such as increased motivation and energetic behaviorrather than indifference, passiveness and lethargy, and (c) recreationaleffects with enhanced enjoyment such as food and aroma.

As used herein, the term “cultivar” is used interchangeably with“variety”, “strain”, and/or “clone”.

Cannabis plants produce a unique family of terpeno-phenolic compounds.Cannabinoids, terpenoids, and other compounds are secreted by glandulartrichomes that occur most abundantly on the floral calyxes and bracts offemale plants. As a drug it usually comes in the form of dried flowerbuds (marijuana), resin (hashish), or various extracts collectivelyknown as hashish oil. The cannabis plant has at least 545 distinctcompounds that span 20 chemical classes including cannabinoids,terpenes, terpenoids, amino acids, nitrogenous compounds, simplealcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, lactones, acids, fatty acids,steroids, non-cannabinoid phenols, pigments, flavonoids, vitamins,proteins, enzymes, glycoproteins, and hydrocarbons. Terpenes and/orcannabinoids, in particular, have shown great potential in terms ofmedicinal value.

Terpenes and/or cannabinoids have been shown to be largely responsiblefor beneficial effects of a cannabis plant. In fact, each cannabis planthas the varying concentrations of medically viable compounds dependingon different strains (genotypes) and their resulting chemotypes. Even asmall variation in terpene and/or cannabinoid concentration can causenoticeable differences in the entourage and/or synergistic effects of acannabis plant, which distinguishes one variety from another. Researchshows that it relies heavily on the physiological effects produced byterpenes and/or cannabinoids.

Over 100 different kinds of terpenes have been identified in cannabisplants although not being as well-studied as cannabinoids, they areinstrumental in giving rise to the physiological and psychoactiveeffects in cannabis.

Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds, produced bya variety of plants. They are often strong smelling and thus may havehad a protective function. Terpenes are an important component, not onlyinfluencing taste and smell of each cannabis strain but also influencingits effects on the mind and body of a subject such as humans andanimals. Terpenes are a classification of organic molecules that arefound in a wide variety of plants and animals. These molecules are knownfor their characteristic scents and flavors. The varying terpeneconcentrations found in cannabis plants directly influence the resultingtaste and smell, as well as the observed effects. Non-limiting examplesof terpenes include Hemiterpenes, Monoterpenes, Sesquiterpenes,Diterpenes, Sesterterpenes, Triterpenes, Sesquarterpenes, Tetraterpenes,Polyterpenes, and Norisoprenoids. The main terpenes found in cannabisplants include, but are not limited to, myrcene, limonene,caryophyllene, pinene, terpinene, terpinolene, camphene, terpineol,phellandrene, carene, humulene, pulegone, sabinene, geraniol, linalool,fenchol, borneol, eucalyptol, and nerolidol.

Cannabinoids are the most studied group of the main physiologicallyactive secondary metabolites in cannabis. The classical cannabinoids areconcentrated in a viscous resin produced in structures known asglandular trichomes. At least 113 different cannabinoids have beenisolated from cannabis plants. The main classes of cannabinoids fromcannabis include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD),cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN). Cannabinoid can be at leastone of a group comprising tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD),cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN) cannabichromene (CBC),cannabinodiol (CBDL), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CBV),tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabigerovarin(CBGV), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM),cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabicitran (CBT), cannabinol propyl variant(CBNV), cannabitriol (CBO), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA),tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA),cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabinerolic acid.

Most cannabinoids exist in two forms, as acids and in neutral(decarboxylated) forms. The acidic form of cannabinoids is designated byan “A” at the end of its acronym (i.e. THCA). The cannabinoids in theiracidic forms (those ending in “-A”) can be converted to their non-acidicforms through a process called decarboxylation when the sample isheated. The phytocannabinoids are synthesized in the plant as acidicforms. While some decarboxylation does occur in the plant, it increasessignificantly post-harvest and the kinetics increase at hightemperatures (Flores-Sanchez and Verpoorte, 2008, Plant Cell Physiol.49(12): 1767-1782). The biologically active forms for human consumptionare the neutral forms. Decarboxylation is usually achieved by thoroughdrying of the plant material followed by heating it, often bycombustion, vaporization, heating, or baking in an oven. Unlessotherwise noted, references to cannabinoids in a plant include both theacidic and decarboxylated versions (e.g., CBD and CBDA).

The molecules lose mass through the process of decarboxylation. In orderto find the total theoretical active cannabinoids, the acid forms shouldbe multiplied by 87.7%. For example, THCA can be converted to active THCusing the formula: THCA×0.877=THC. The maximum THC for the sample is:THC_(max)=(THCA×0.877)+THC. This method has been validated according tothe principles of the International Conference on Harmonization.Similarly, CBDA can be converted to active CBD and the yield isdetermined using the yield formula: CBDA×0.877=CBD. Also the maximumamount of CBD yielded, i.e. max CBD for the sample is:CBD_(max)=(CBDA×0.877)+CBD. Additionally, CBGA can be converted toactive CBG by multiplying 87.8% to CBGA. Thus, the maximum amount of CBGis: CBG_(max)=(CBGA×0.878)+CBG.

The biologically active chemicals found in plants, phytochemicals, mayaffect the normal structure or function of the human body and in somecases treat disease. The mechanisms for the medicinal and psychoactiveproperties of a cannabis plant, like any medicinal herb, produce thepharmacologic effects of its phytochemicals, and the key phytochemicalsfor a medical cannabis plant are cannabinoids and terpenes.

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a psychoactive cannabinoid responsiblefor many of the effects such as mild to moderate pain relief,relaxation, insomnia and appetite stimulation. THC has been demonstratedto have anti-depressant effects. The majority of strains range from12-21% THC with very potent and carefully prepared strains reaching evenhigher. While Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is also implicated in thetreatment of disease, the psychotropic activity of THC makes itundesirable for some patients and/or indications.

Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, is the primary psychoactive and medicinalcannabinoid and is the result of the decarboxylation oftetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THC-A), its acidic precursor. THC-A,(6ar,10ar)-1-hydroxy-6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro-6h-benzochromene-2-carboxylicacid, is found in the trichomes of the plant and converted into THC,which actually exists in only minute quantities in the living plant,after harvest and drying.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the principal cannabinoids found in acannabis plant and is largely considered to the most medicallysignificant. CBD occurs in many strains, at low levels, <1%. In somecases, CBD can be the dominant cannabinoid, as high as 15% by weight.CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning that unlike THC, CBD does not cause anoticeable “high”. CBD has shown potential for medical properties in thetreatment of a wide variety of diseases and symptoms, including cancer,nausea, chronic pain, spasms, seizures/epilepsy, anxiety, psoriasis,Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, schizophrenia,post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcoholism, strokes, multiplesclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. CBD also has been reported to actas a muscle relaxant, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and bone stimulant,as well as to improve blood circulation, cause drowsiness, and protectthe nervous system. It can provide relief for chronic pain due to musclespasticity, convulsions and inflammation, as well as effective relieffrom anxiety-related disorders. It can offer relief for patients withMultiple Sclerosis (MS), Fibromyalgia and Epilepsy. CBD has also beenshown to inhibit cancer cell growth when injected into breast and braintumors in combination with THC.

A cannabis cultivar can be used to achieve the desire of patients to betreated with CBD without the adverse side-effects (e.g., psychoactivity)of THC.

Cannabichromene (CBC) is a rare, non-psychoactive cannabinoid, usuallyfound at low levels (<1%) when present. It has been shown to haveanti-depressant effects and to improve the pain-relieving effects ofTHC. Studies have demonstrated that CBC has sedative effects such aspromoting relaxation.

Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabichromene (CBC) are both non-psychoactiveand end products of CBG metabolism, like THC, so that they can be usedmedically.

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. CBG-acid is theprecursor to both THC-acid and CBD-acid in the plant usually found atlow levels (<1%) when present. It has been demonstrated to have bothpain relieving and inflammation reducing effects. CBG reducesintraocular pressure, associated with glaucoma. CBG has been shown tohave antibiotic properties and to inhibit platelet aggregation, whichslows the rate of blood clotting. While Cannabigerol (CBG), is notconsidered psychoactive, it is known to block the psychoactive effectsof THC and is considered medically active in a variety of conditions.Its precursor, cannabigerolic acid, CBGA,(E)-3-(3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl)-2,4-dihydroxy-6-pentylbenzoic acid,is being studied medically.

Cannabinol (CBN) is an oxidative degradation product of THC. It mayresult from improper storage or curing and extensive processing, such aswhen making concentrates. It is usually formed when THC is exposed to UVlight and oxygen over time. CBN has some psychoactive properties, lessstrength than THC. CBN is thought to enhance the dizziness anddisorientation that users of cannabis may experience. It may causefeelings of grogginess, but has been shown to reduce heart rate.

High potency cannabis plants contain large quantities of specificterpenes as well as various assortments of other terpenes. For instance,a cannabis plant may have a profile with either a high level of, amoderate amount of or a small amount of various terpenes depending onits cultivar and environmental conditions.

Various cultivars of ‘Cannabis’ species have been cultivated in aneffort to create a cultivar best suited to meet the interest ofinventors according to their own need. The particular plant disclosedherein was discovered in the area where the inventors were intentionallycross-pollinating and cultivating plants described below using standardMendelian breeding procedures well known to those of ordinary skill inthe art. This resulted in the progenies of the inventors' crosses.

The progenies resulting from any selection stage of either the crossing,selfing or backcrossing versions of the breeding regimes of the presentinvention were asexually reproduced to fix and maintain the desirableTHC content, CBs content, terpenes content, the aroma and flavor(s)typical of the desired class, and the other desirable phenotypic and/orgenotypic characteristics. The resultant selected cannabis cultivar isdesignated as ‘BIHEMP 050924’ disclosed herein.

The inventors reproduced progenies asexually by stem cutting andcloning. This is the origin of this remarkable new cultivar. The planthas been and continues to be asexually reproduced by stem cutting andcloning at the inventors' greenhouses, nurseries and/or fields inSalinas, Calif., Oakland, Calif., and/or Washington, D.C.

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing chemicalcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal conditionsin Salinas, Calif. Chemical analyses of the new cannabis variety and thecheck variety (or the parental varieties) disclosed herein wereperformed using standard chemical separation techniques well known tothose skilled in the art. Samples for assaying were obtained from flowertissues of the cannabis plant disclosed herein. Cannabinoid compositionof this cultivar can be determined by assaying the concentration of atleast one cannabinoid in a subset (e.g., sample) of the harvestedproduct.

Table 1 includes detailed information of the cannabis plant named‘BIHEMP 050924’ including the concentration ranges of terpenes andcannabinoids as tested on flowers at least seven different times. Thecannabis plant has been tested in a laboratory setting and/or facilityto determine cannabinoids and terpenes concentrations in the cannabisplant named ‘BIHEMP 050924’ according to the procedures provided inGiese et al. (Journal of AOAC International (2015) 98(6):1503-1522).

-   -   1) The main terpenes found in ‘BIHEMP 050924’ are        beta-caryophyllene, limonene, alpha-humulene, linalool, myrcene,        trans-ocimene, beta-pinene, fenchol, and alpha-terpineol; and    -   2) The estimated concentration of the total THC_(max),        CBD_(max), and CBG_(max) is about 0.21-0.43%, about 5.02-10.86%,        and about 0.10-0.72%, respectively, at the time of assaying        metabolites from flower samples of ‘BIHEMP 050924’.

Terpene and cannabinoid profiles of ‘BIHEMP 050924’ demonstrate that‘BIHEMP 050924’ has a phenotypically unique profile, particular insofaras to the level of terpenes and cannabinoids. This data is presented ina tabular form in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Ranges of Active Cannabinoids and Terpenes Ranges of ActiveCannabinoids (% by weight) Max THC 0.21- Max CBD 5.02- Max CBG 0.10-0.43% 10.86% 0.72% Ranges of Terpenes (% by weight) thujene 0.00% gamma-0.00% hexyl 0.00- terpinene hexanoate 0.03% alpha-pinene 0.01- linalool0.00% octyl butyrate 0.00% 0.04% oxide camphene 0.00- terpinolene 0.00-beta-caryo- 0.12- 0.01% 0.02% phyllene 0.60% sabinene 0.00% fenchone0.00% alpha- 0.03- humulene 0.38% beta-pinene 0.01- linalool 0.02-cis-nerolidol 0.00% 0.07% 0.16% myrcene 0.00- fenchol 0.01-trans-nerolidol 0.03- 0.12% 0.06% 0.05% alpha- 0.00% — — caryophyllene0.00- phellandrene oxide 0.03% carene 0.00% camphor 0.00%alpha-bisabolol 0.01- 0.03% alpha-terpinene 0.00% isoborneol 0.00% nerol0.00% limonene 0.06- (−) borneol 0.00- geraniol 0.00% 0.62% 0.02% beta-0.00% menthol 0.00% geranyl-acetate 0.00% phellandrene cineole 0.00%hexyl 0.00% methyl- 0.00% butyrate eugenol cis-ocimene 0.00% alpha-0.01- Total Terpenes 0.61- terpineol 0.06% 2.42% trans-ocimene 0.00-citronellol 0.00% — — 0.12%

The cannabis plant named ‘BIHEMP 050924’ has a complement of terpenes,including but not limited to, relatively high levels ofbeta-caryophyllene, limonene, alpha-humulene, linalool, myrcene,trans-ocimene, beta-pinene, fenchol, and alpha-terpineol compared toother terpene compounds. This unique combination of differentlyconcentrated terpenes further distinguishes ‘BIHEMP 050924’ from othervarieties in its odor, its medical qualities, and its effects on moodand mentation.

Asexual Reproduction

Asexual reproduction, also known as “cloning”, is a process well knownto those of ordinary skill in the art of cannabis production andbreeding and includes the following steps.

The cannabis cultivar disclosed herein is asexually propagated viataking cuttings of shoots and putting them in rock wool cubes. Thesecubes are presoaked with pH adjusted water and kept warm (˜80° F.). Fulltrays are covered, left under 18 hours of light and allowed to root(7-14 days). Upon root onset, the plantlets are transplanted into rigid1 gallon containers filled with a proprietary soil mix A and remain in18 hours of daylight for another 14-21 days. Once root-bound, plants aretransplanted into rigid 3 gallon containers filled with proprietary soilmix B. Immediately, the light cycle is altered to 12/12 and flowerinitiating begins. The plants remain in 12/12 lighting until harvesting.They undergo a propriety nutrient regimen and grow as undisturbed aspossible for 60-70 days depending on chemotype analysis.

All sun leaves are removed and the plant is dismantled to result inapproximately 12″ branches covered in inflorescences and trichomes. Thegoal in harvesting is to actually harvest trichome heads but not ‘buds’.Thus, great care is taken not to disturb the trichome heads and as muchof the plant remains intact as possible to promote even and slow drying.Slow drying is followed by a one to two months curing process.

Observation of the all female progenies of the original plant hasdemonstrated that this new and distinct cultivar has fulfilled theobjectives and that its distinctive characteristics are firmly fixed andhold true from generation to generation vegetatively propagated from theoriginal plant.

Under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the newcultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs depict characteristics of the new‘BIHEMP 050924’ plants as nearly true as possible to make colorreproductions. The overall appearance of the ‘BIHEMP 050924’ plants inphotographs is shown in colors that may differ slightly from the colorvalues described in the detailed botanical description.

FIG. 1 shows an overall view of the ‘BIHEMP 050924’ plant from the side.

FIG. 2A shows a close view of a single leaf of the check variety BLK03plant.

FIG. 2B shows a close view of a single leaf of the new variety ‘BIHEMP050924’ plant.

FIG. 3A shows top parts (including inflorescence) of the BLK03 plantfrom the side.

FIG. 3B shows top parts (including inflorescence) of the ‘BIHEMP 050924’plant from the side.

FIG. 4 shows a close view of flowers of the ‘BIHEMP 050924’ plant at thelate flowering/mature stage.

FIG. 5 shows another close view of flowers of the ‘BIHEMP 050924’ plantat the late flowering/mature stage.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘BIHEMP 050924’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions, and the phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment. The following observations, measurements, and comparisonsdescribe this plant as grown at Salinas, Calif., when grown in thegreenhouse, nursery or field, unless otherwise noted.

Plants for the botanical measurements in the present application areannual plants. In the following description, the color determination isin accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007Edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

The cannabis plant disclosed herein was derived from female and maleparents that are internally designated as below.

A GNBR internal Code of the cannabis plant named ‘BIHEMP 050924’ is05.09.24. A GNBR Breeding Code of the cannabis plant named ‘BIHEMP050924’ is (V24.S1.O3xV24.S1.N5.05)x(V24.S1.O3xV24.S1.N5.09).24. Theadditional number ‘.24’ was only assigned to the 24^(th) individualplant (i.e. ‘BIHEMP 050924’) selected from progenies of the cross eventbetween pollen acceptor (O3.N5.05) and pollen donor (O3.N5.09). ‘BIHEMP050924’ is a fertile hybrid derived from a controlled-cross between twoproprietary cultivars: (i) V24.S1.O3xV24.S1.N5.05 (pollen acceptor;female parent), also known as O3.N5.05 or 05 and (ii)V24.S1.O3xV24.S1.N5.09 (pollen donor; male parent), also known asO3.N5.09 or 09. The initial cross between two parental cultivars wasmade in April 2015. The primary phenotypic criteria used to select thenew and distinct cannabis cultivar disclosed herein is as follows:structure score, nose/organoleptic testing, moldsusceptibility/resistance, and insect susceptibility/resistance. Also,the first asexual propagation of ‘BIHEMP 050924’ occurred on Mar. 25,2017 in Salinas, Calif.

The following traits in combination further distinguish the cannabiscultivar ‘BIHEMP 050924’ from the check variety ‘BLK03’, which is set asa standard for phenotypic comparison. Tables 2 to 6 present phenotypictraits and/or characteristics of ‘BIHEMP 050924’ compared to the checkvariety ‘BLK03’ as follows. All plants were raised together andevaluated when 100 days old (i.e., 25 days in vegetative stage, 15 daysin propagation stage, and 60 days in flowering times).

TABLE 2 General Characteristics Characteristics New Variety CheckVariety (BLK03) Plant life An herbaceous plant An herbaceous plant forms(herb) (herb) Plant growth An upright, tap-rooted An upright, tap-rootedhabit annual plant; forming annual plant; forming fibrous roots whenfibrous roots asexually propagated when asexually propagated Plantorigin A controlled-cross A controlled-cross between between pollenacceptor pollen acceptor (GLD13) (O3.N5.05) and pollen and pollen donordonor (O3.N5.09) (BSIA) Plant Asexually propagated Asexually propagatedpropagation by stem by stem cuttings and cloning cuttings and cloningPropagation Easy Moderate ease Height 0.3-1.2 m 0.5-2.5 m Width 56 cm119.5 cm Plant vigor High Medium Time to 10 weeks 8 weeks Harvest (Seedto Harvest) Resistance to Resistant to pests as Not Resistant to pestsas pests or follows; (1) follows; (1) two spotted diseases WesternFlower Thrip spider mite (Frankliniella (Tetranychus urticaeoccidentalis); (2) (Koch)); (2) Aphids Leaf Miner (Liriomyza speciessuch as: Cannabis sativae); (3) Whitefly Aphids (Phorodon (Trialeurodesvapor- cannabis), Green Peach ariorum); (4) Lepidoptera Aphid (Myzuspersicae species such as: (Sulzer)), Foxglove Aphid Armyworm (Spodoptera(Aulacorthum frupperda), Cabbage solani), Peach Whites (Pieris rapae),Aphid (Macrosiphum Painted Lady (Vanessa euphorbiae) and Black cardui),Lepidoptera sp. Bean whitefly Aphid (Aphis fabae); (3) (TrialeurodesResistant to diseases as vaporariorum); follows; Botrytis/ (4)Lepidoptera species Flower Rot (Botrytis such as: Armyworm cinerea),Powdery (Spodoptera frupperda), Mildew (Podosphaera Cabbage Whitesxanthii) (Pieris rapae), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Lepidoptera sp.Not resistant to diseases as follows; Botrytis/Flower Rot (Botrytiscinerea) and Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) Genetically- NO NOmodified organism

TABLE 3 Leaf/Foliage Check Variety Characteristics New Variety (BLK03)Leaf Alternate Alternate arrangement Leaf shape Palmately compoundPalmately compound Leaf structure Linear-lanceolate Linear-lanceolateleaflet blades with leaflet blades with glandular hairs glandular hairsLeaf margins Dentate, coarsely Dentate, coarsely serrated, and theserrated, and the teeth point away teeth point away from the tip fromthe tip Leaf hairs Present on both upper Present on both and lowersurfaces upper and lower surfaces Leaf length with petiole 20.4 cm 16.6cm at maturity Leaf width at maturity 9.8-14.6 cm 10.7 cm Petiole lengthat maturity 7.7 cm 6.5 cm Petiole color (RHS No.) 53A at day 60 in 140Cflowering; 134B at day 5 in flowering Intensity of petiole Weak (earlyflowering Medium (vegetative anthocyanin stage); stage); very Medium(late flowering strong (late stage - during days flowering stage) 30-60in flowering) Stipule length at maturity 0.6 cm 0.7 cm Stipule shapeElliptical Elliptical Stipule color (RHS No.) 134A 149B No. of leaflets5-7 5-7 Middle largest (longest) 12.1 cm 9.8 cm leaflet length Middlelargest (longest) 2.2 cm 2.3 cm leaflet width Middle largest (longest)12.1:2.2 9.8:2.3 leaflet length/width ratio No. teeth of middle leaflet22 25 (average) Leaf (upper side) color 139B 132A (RHS No.) Leaf (lowerside) color 139C 134D (RHS No.) Leaf glossiness Strong at the Strongupper surface Vein/midrib shape Obliquely continuous Obliquelythroughout leaflet continuous throughout leaflet Vein/midrib color 151D144C (RHS No.) Aroma Pungent, yet sweet Spicy

TABLE 4 Stem Check Variety Characteristics New Variety (BLK03) Stemshape Hollow, ribbed, Hollow, ribbed, large textured Stem diameter atbase 2.3 cm 2.8 cm Stem color (RHSNo.) 149D N144D Depth of main stemribs/grooves Shallow Absent Internode length 14.4-27.2 cm 2.4-4.9 cm

TABLE 5 Inflorescence (Female/Pistillate Flowers) Characteristics NewVariety Check Variety (BLK03) Flowering Elongated compound Elongatedcompound (blooming) cymes, from 0.2 m- cymes, from 0.5 m- habit 1.5 m inlength 1.2 m in length Proportion of female 100% pistillate 100%pistillate plants Inflorescence Above Even position Flower arrangementCymose Cymose (terminal bud matures, while lateral flowers maturethereafter) Number of flowers 110-143 per cyme 80-120 per cyme per plantFlower shape Calcarate-urceolate Calcarate-urceolate Flower (individual0.3 cm 0.7 cm pistillate) length Flower (compound 4.7 cm 3 .8 cm cyme)diameter Corolla shape No defined corolla No defined corolla Corollasize n/a n/a Corolla Color n/a n/a (RHS No.) Bract shape UrceolateUrceolate Bract size 0.4-1.2 cm 0.2-0.8 cm Bract color 130B N134C (RHSNo.) Calyx shape No defined calyx No defined calyx Calyx color n/a n/a(RHS No.) Stigma shape Linear Acute Stigma length 1.9 mm 2.2 mm Stigmacolor 53A 159D (RHS No.) Trichome shape Capitate-stalked glandularCapitate-stalked glandular Trichome color 157A before harvest, at 157Aat day 40 in (RHS No.) approximately day flowering 38 of flowering Othertypes of Capitate sessile tri- Capitate sessile tri- trichomes chomesare present chomes are present on on the leaves of plants, the leaves ofplants, as as well as being noticed well as being noticed in the flowers(color: in the flowers (color: 157A at day 38 157A at day 40 inflowering). in flowering). During later flowering, During laterflowering, i.e. day 40 to i.e. day 48 to day 60 day 60 in flowering, inflowering, capitate the capitate stalked stalked trichomes are trichomesare present present (color: N30B). (color: N30B). Bulbous and non-glandular trichomes are also present and most noticeable on thepetioles, stems, and leaves (color: 157A). Terminal bud shape OblongOblong Terminal bud color 132C 203C (RHS No.) Pedicel Absent AbsentStaminate shape No staminate flowers No staminate flowers producednaturally; produced naturally; however, male flower however, male flower(staminate) can be (staminate) can be induced with chemical induced withchemical compounds (such as compounds (such as silver nitrate silvernitrate and silver and silver thiosulphate thiosulphate anionic anioniccomplex). complex). Pollen description Absent Absent Seed shape Smoothand globular Smooth and globular Seed size 2.0-2.8 mm 1.8-2.3 mmMarbling of seed Weak Absent (non-existent) Petal description ApetalousApetalous Max THC content About 0.21-0.43% About 18.88-19.37% Max CBDAbout 5.02-10.86 % 0.00% content Max CBG About 0.10-0.72% About0.84-0.91 % content n/a: not available

TABLE 6 Other Characteristics Characteristics New Variety Check Variety(BLK03) Time period and 6-8 weeks 7-9 weeks condition of flowering/blooming Hardiness of Hardy to 25° F.-ambient Hardy to 25° F.-ambientplant temperature temperature Breaking action Flexible, highly resistantto Strong, non-flexible breakage Rooting rate 99%-vigorous 70%-moderateafter cutting/cloning Types of Stem Stem Cutting for Cloning Shippingquality Good Moderate Storage life Medium (2-5 months Medium (2-6 monthswith minor changes in with minor changes in physical appearance physicalappearance and/or smell/taste) and/ or smell/taste) Market use Medicinaln/a Productivity of Approximately Approximately flower 0.136-0.363 kg0.14-0.45 kg can can be produced per be produced per plant, dependent onplant; dependent finished plant size on finished size (1.0-2.6 m);Growing (0.6-1.2 m); Growing conditions/en- conditions/en- vironmentwill vironment will dictate final yield/output dictate finalyield/output

In general, ‘BIHEMP 050924’ is larger in height than both parents,(O3.N5.05) and (O3.N5.09). ‘BIHEMP 050924’ is more robust in terms ofgrowing performance, time to rooted clones, and time to flower maturity.Also, ‘BIHEMP 050924’ has greater resistance to pests and diseases,stronger branches, thicker stems, greater flexibility, and higheryielding. ‘BIHEMP 050924’ clearly demonstrates hybrid vigor, andoutperforms both parents overall. Chemically, ‘BIHEMP 050924’ has ahigher propyl cannabinoid content as well as a higher terpene contentthan either parent.

When ‘BIHEMP 050924’ is compared to the check variety ‘BLK03’, ‘BIHEMP050924’ is shorter in plant height and narrower in plant width than‘BLK03’.‘BIHEMP 050924’ shows higher plant vigor and longer time toharvest than ‘BLK03’. However, ‘BIHEMP 050924’ has longer leafs than‘BLK03’ in terms of whole leaf length including petiole. Also, ‘BIHEMP050924’ has longer leaflets than ‘BLK03’ when comparing the middlelargest leaflet length, while ‘BIHEMP 050924’ has less teeth numbers inmiddle leaflet than ‘BLK03’. ‘BIHEMP 050924’ has a longer petiole but alittle shorter stipule in average than ‘BLK03’ at maturity. Regardingthe average stem diameter at base, ‘BIHEMP 050924’ is shorter than‘BLK03’. However, the internode length of ‘BIHEMP 050924’ isconspicuously longer than that of ‘BLK03’. In terms of flower numbersper cyme, ‘BIHEMP 050924’ has more flowers than ‘BLK03’. When comparingthe compound cyme diameter, ‘BIHEMP 050924’ is longer than ‘BLK03’,while individual pistillate flower of ‘BIHEMP 050924’ is shorter thanthat of ‘BLK03’. ‘BIHEMP 050924’ has a longer bract than ‘BLK03’, whilehaving a little shorter stigma. With respect to aroma, ‘BIHEMP 050924’have a pungent yet sweet scent, while ‘BLK03’ has a generally spicysmell.

When ‘BIHEMP 050924’ is compared to the known cannabis plant named‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,475), there are severaldistinctive characteristics. For example, overall form of ‘BIHEMP050924’ plant is short in plant height but wider across at the widestpoint than the ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’ plant. ‘BIHEMP 050924’ plant has alittle longer middle leaflet (without petiole) and whole leaf (withpetiole) length than the ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’ plant. Generally, ‘BIHEMP050924’ plant has a little shorter petiole at maturity than the‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’ plant. ‘BIHEMP 050924’ plant has a narrower middleleaflet width than the ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’ plant. Regarding stemdiameter at base, ‘BIHEMP 050924’ is similar to ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’.While the aroma of ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’ is strongly mephitic with hintsof limonene, ‘BIHEMP 050924’ has a pungent yet sweet scent. Whencomparing total THC content between ‘BIHEMP 050924’ and ‘ECUADORIANSATIVA’, the total THC content of ‘BIHEMP 050924’ is between 0.21-0.43%,while ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’ accumulates 12.45% total THC.

‘BIHEMP 050924’ having no more than 0.3% THC content, qualifies as ahemp under most growing conditions. As with other plants, ‘BIHEMP050924’ may accumulate higher contents of total THC under some growingconditions, or if allowed to continue growing past maturity.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Cannabisplant named ‘BIHEMP 050924’ substantially as shown and described herein.